Page:What cheer, or, Roger Williams in banishment (1896).pdf/103

 CANTO FIFTH.

[ A Sequestered Dale—Open Glade and Grand National Council—The .]

Deep in the dale's sequestered solitude, Screened from the winter's storm and chilling blast By branching cedars and thick underwood, And ever with their shadows overcast, Old Narraganset's regal wigwam stood, Where dwelt her chief, while yet the cold did last, And tempests, driving from the frozen north, Detained his warriors from the work of wrath.

II.

And near it rose an ample council hall, Where oft the Narraganset senate sate, When came the wise men, at their Sachem's call, On schemes of high emprise to hold debate; And in the shade were shelters meet, for all His grave advisers who should on him wait; And, with the red men just as with the white, Such free provision did delays invite.

III.

Here Father Williams must a while remain. And, with apt converse born of feelings mild, Soothe the stern natures of the warlike train, His destined neighbors in that barbarous wild; Allay distrust and confidence obtain, Until suspicion and fierce wrath, despoiled Of all their terrors, leave the vanquished mind To generous friendship and full faith inclined.